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Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Clinical and Social Psychological Perspectives

  • Presents clinical case studies with famous cases including OJ Simpson, Lorena Bobbitt, and Nancy Kissell

  • A thorough introduction to the clinical psychology impact on legal issues

  • Assessment of psychological factors using latest forensic tools

  • Describes current theories for criminal cases including death penalty

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Table of contents (26 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-viii
  2. What is Forensic Psychology?

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Introduction to Forensic Psychology

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 3-13
    3. Models of Legal Systems: Spotlight on the United States

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 15-24
    4. Admissibility of Expert Testimony

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 25-34
  3. Understanding the Criminal Mind

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 35-35
    2. Criminal Responsibility

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 37-51
    3. Competency to Stand Trial

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 53-67
    4. Self-Defense and Syndrome Testimony

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 69-85
    5. Death Penalty Cases

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 87-94
    6. Clinical and Forensic Assessment

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 95-110
    7. Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Problem-Solving Courts

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 111-120
    8. Psychological Interventions in Forensic Settings

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 121-135
  4. Can Psychologists Measure Pain and Suffering?

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 137-137
    2. Civil Law: U.S. Personal Injury Torts

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 139-153
    3. Risk Assessment and Involuntary Commitment

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 155-172
    4. Immigration and Refugee Issues

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 173-181
  5. Family Law and Fitness to Parent

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 183-183
    2. Family Law: Marriage and Divorce

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 185-201
    3. Custody and Access to Children

      • Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl
      Pages 203-226

About this book

This book provides a broad overview of the history and practice of forensic psychology, illustrating the principles of how psychological knowledge can inform judges and juries in the U.S. legal system with reference to several high publicity cases. The second edition contains new case law and discusses its implications in the major areas of forensics, examining new developments in juvenile justice, malpractice complaints, and reproductive rights, among other topics.

The authors address specific aspects of forensic psychology within seven distinct sections:

  1. What is Forensic Psychology?
  2. Understanding the Criminal Mind
  3. Can Psychologists Measure Pain and Suffering?
  4. Family Law and Fitness to Parent
  5. Juvenile Justice
  6. Legal Consultation Based on Social Psychology
  7. Practical Tips for Forensic Psychology Experts

An essential resource for current and aspiring forensic psychologists, the second edition of Introduction to Forensic Psychology serves as a thorough introduction to a complex field, featuring updated cases and related legal developments.


Authors and Affiliations

  • Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA

    Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl

About the authors

Dr. Lenore Walker and Dr. David Shapiro are two of the pioneers in the field of forensic psychology. Together with Dr Stephanie Akl, they are professors of psychology at the Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology training doctoral and Master’s graduate students studying clinical forensic psychology. They both also have a small independent practice of forensic psychology where they provide evaluations and testimony in cases in the U.S. and other countries. 

Dr. Walker became known for her expert witness testimony in high publicity cases where battered women killed their abusive partners. Explaining the counter-intuitive behavior of abused women who do not leave their abusive partners, Walker became known for applying research and clinical practice to criminal, family law, and juvenile cases. She also served as O.J. Simpson’s psychologist on his trial as well as televised appearances in other cases. She is author of over 25 books including The Battered Woman Syndrome, 4th Edition, Handbook on Sex Trafficking with Giselle Gaviria & Kalyani Gopal, and Forensic Practice for the Mental Health Clinician with David Shapiro and numerous book chapters and articles in professional journals.  

 

Dr. Shapiro is sometimes known as the ‘father’ of clinical forensic psychology since many forensic psychologists have taken his courses in the many subfields in forensics. Former chief psychologist for the State of Maryland Department of Corrections and director of pre trial evaluationsfor  the forensic division at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Shapiro has followed the development of psychology and the law over forty years specializing in both criminal law and in ethics and malpractice issues. He also served as an expert witness in the Lorena Bobbitt case  as well as other high publicity cases. such as John Hinckley.He is author or co-author of over 15 books including Forensic Psychological Assessment: An Integrative Approach, Surviving a Licensing Board Complaint, Malpractice in Psychology: A Practical Resource for Clinicians, Risk Assessment in Clinical Practice, Best Practices for the Mentally Ill in the Criminal Justice System, and Retrying Leopold and Loeb: A Neuropsychological Perspective along with Walker in the  Forensic Practice for the Mental Health Clinician and numerous book chapters and articles in professional journals.

 

Dr. Stephanie Akl, is in the independent practice of forensic psychology after graduating from the Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology’s clinical forensic program. She is currently an adjunct professor there training doctoral and master’s degree in clinical forensic psychology. She has specialized in family psychology and in assessment and treatment of those experiencing trauma and abuse. She has testified in cases where abused women and children have killed their abusers in self-defense in various states across the U.S. She has developed a virtual reality program for helping train psychologists who want to work in the problem-solving courts after studying the mental health court. 

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Introduction to Forensic Psychology

  • Book Subtitle: Clinical and Social Psychological Perspectives

  • Authors: Lenore E. Walker, David Shapiro, Stephanie Akl

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44470-9

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and Psychology, Behavioral Science and Psychology (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-44468-6Published: 12 June 2020

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-44470-9Published: 11 June 2020

  • Edition Number: 2

  • Number of Pages: VIII, 393

  • Number of Illustrations: 5 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Law and Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Sciences, general

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access